Hamilton East By-Election

Deborah from Fairview Downs

PLEASE VOTE!

Whether or not you vote Hamilton WILL get a new Councillor.

Democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of an area, typically through elected representatives. Not voting is not a protest it's a statement you are happy to be dictated to. The system may be broken but simply saying it's too hard and not participating will not change anything. In fact it gives those that want power and think they are right more power to do whatever they want without protest or input from those affected.

There is a misconception that only property owners are ratepayers. All citizens over the age of 18 are ratepayers and eligible to vote. As a tenant your landlord pays your rates. We all use council services and expect them to deal with traffic, potholes, rubbish, parks, libraries, gardens, zoo, museum, and river to name just a few. Decisions don't just affect your wallet they affect our neighbourhoods and communities so why would you not want a say in how they do this. A recent proposal to charge for rubbish collection which has been turned down would have had huge impacts on everyone, were you even aware this was on the table? If the average increase in rates is expected to be approximately $1 per day you can expect your rent to increase by $7 per week to cover this and that is the average increase. It also doesn't account for an expected increase to Waikato Regional Council rates or the proposed 11% petrol tax.

Currently Hamilton has 11 Councillors and 1 Mayor meaning decisions are based on 12 votes. In many cases decisions have resulted in a 6-6 split for and against. This has resulted in the Mayor getting an extra vote to break the deadlock thus giving him 2 votes to pass his proposals. This is why we need an extra Councillor. The statement that a new Councillor will not change anything is correct. Unless that person and the public can convince the other 6 or 7 that voted for projects and increases to change their minds. No one Councillor can go to council and say this is what to do, this is how we fix it, only the Major and CEO can set the direction we take and everyone else is left to agree or disagree.

If you want council to stay out of your pocket you should pay attention to what they are spending your rates on. Some Councillors are actively seeking public opinion on decisions and others just want to be left to do what they think is best. No one is a mind reader if you don't tell them what you think they can not take it into account.

Please Vote.